$1,280
of $25,000 goal

Mike and Judy have been married for 17 years and have two children. Madeline is 14 and Tyler is 13. Mike also has a son, Michael, and 2 grandsons. Michael is a great big brother to his two younger siblings! Mike experienced his first seizure in September, 2014. He had recently been deployed with the United States Air Force Reserves. Mike is a veteran of 28 years (Active Duty and Reserves).He has always given to others: he donated his kidney to his father in 2011, coached soccer in the community for 7 years (until he was deployed in 2012), and served our country for 28 years.Mike is a devoted Christian and family man. His wife, Judy, worked as an RN, but has been unable to work on any type of regular basis due to his treatments, appointments, and therapy.

In September, 2015, Mike had a brain biopsy which revealed an aggressive form of brain cancer. In October, 2015, he suffered a brain bleed inside the tumor which left him partially paralyzed on his left side. Mike had to leave his job at the VA Hospital. He worked prior to that at MUSC for 16 years. Mike has undergone radiation and oral chemotherapy, and he is now on a clinical trial.Mike and Judy have been battling the VA for 2 years now for his health care, therapy, treatments, medications, and equipment(with no success) which has forced them to go through their private health insurance! This has left them with tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. They have now gone through all of their savings as well as Mike's retirement just trying to survive. With Mike unable to work and Judy only working sporadically, they need our help to keep a roof over their head and be able to pay for their private health insurance.We are asking for your thoughts, prayers, and any donations you can give to this family.Mike spent many years serving his country to defend our freedom. He is a fighter, let's help him continue his fight!

While Mike continues with his clinical trial, his scans have remained stable!
Just when they have adjusted to this, Judy has just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
She has just had a biopsy, appts. with a Breast Surgeon and Oncologist in addition to numerous tests and a PETScan. She just had surgery to have a port put in for her Chemotherapy treatments and will have appointments with her doctors to prepare for treatment. She has met her deductible for the year and has had many copays. Now, in January, she will have to start over to meet her deductible again. Instead of getting ready for the holidays with their children, they are getting prepared for Judy's battle. With Judy being the only driver, this puts even more stress on her.
We ask that you please help in any way you can, and keep them in your prayers.

Mike started his oral chemo last Monday. He was sick until Friday, when he started to feel a little better. We were actually able to go to church Sunday as a family!
He had his carotid study yesterday, and now we are waiting to hear what the results are. They told us our doctor should have the results within a week-frustrating. I hate seeing him sick, but he is now back on his supplement regimen. I take him off of that during the week that he starts the oral chemo.
We are still waiting for the echo appt. and his cd of the latest MRI was FINALLY sent to Duke.
We did ask a Social Worker for any resources, and we were told that he was a veteran, and they had plenty!!
I informed her that we are paying for our private insurance as well. They don't understand that retiring from the Reserves, he cannot receive retirement until age 59 1/2 or receive TriCare coverage. The VA says this is not service related, therefore we are out of luck. We have been getting his medicine through their pharmacy which we were told would be covered at 100% from his last tour - Operation Enduring Freedom. Once again, we were told the wrong information! They have attached his Social Security check for the medications for $200.00 each month. Everyone says they are looking into it, but that never seems to happen.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

As a new friend of ours in the FB group Brain Tumor Talk says: Mike will continue to "Warrior Up"!

We got the results of Mike's MRI yesterday. They weren't the results we would like to have gotten, but that will not stop him from fighting. He is a warrior, and his faith in God is strong.
The primary tumor has shrunk, but the other "small" tumor has changed by 1/10th of a centimeter. There was a small area that showed no blood flow, and they think he may have had a "very small" stroke. Unfortunately, cancer patients are at risk for this.
He will be getting an echocardiogram and an ultrasound of his carotid arteries in the next few days.
Please keep him in your prayers, and as our daughter says: God will perform "Mike's Miracle"!
He has just started his next round of the clinical trial oral chemo, and doesn't feel the greatest right now.

Mike and Judy Ginger and I met you a couple years ago at Mayo in Jacksonville. We've thought and prayed for you often. We pray for a miracle of healing and for God to give you all the strength you need to get through this awful ordeal and to meet your financial needs. We are happy to be part of this group to do what we can. Jim and Ginger Barner

Mike and Judy Ginger and I met you a couple years ago at Mayo in Jacksonville. We've thought and prayed for you often. We pray for a miracle of healing and for God to give you all the strength you need to get through this awful ordeal and to meet your financial needs. We are happy to be part of this group to do what we can. Jim and Ginger Barner